Unocal sets Cook Inlet well record at King Salmon platform

Petroleum News Alaska Staff

Unocal Corp. said July 25 that it has completed two significant development wells in Cook Inlet, including one that is producing at the highest rate of any oil well in Cook Inlet history.

Both wells are in the McArthur River field.

“We have refocused on oil production from our Cook Inlet assets, and we are achieving good success through the use of advanced drilling and analytical technologies,” said Charles Pierce, vice president for Unocal Alaska. “We are already seeing the results of our $18 million drilling and work over program on the King Salmon platform this year.”

The K-13 well, which came on production in early July, is producing 7,100 bopd. Unocal said this is the highest rate from any oil well in Cook Inlet history and has pushed production from the King Salmon platform to the highest level in almost 20 years. The well confirmed a structure in the Hemlock horizon on the northern flank of the field that could contain more than 35 million barrels of oil in place.

The K-1 well, also drilled from the King Salmon platform, came on line in early May and is currently producing 1,100 bopd from the “G” zone.

Unocal holds a 56 percent working interest in the McArthur River Field Hemlock zone and a 49 percent working interest in the “G” zone. Forest Oil Corp. holds the remaining interests.